Credlin's power reflects badly on Abbott

In his musings on the so called "Peta Credlin phenomenon", Paul Sheehan passes an interesting judgment on the Prime Minister's incapacity to see clearly what many others around him see. Sheehan says: "The Prime Minister, because of loyalty, and because he sees firsthand the prodigious workload of his chief of staff, would be aware of the phenomenon but probably not the scale of it" ("Credlin power is the phenomenon plaguing Abbott, December 11).

To be blinded in such a way to something that his whole government is clearly seeing, not to speak of the media and many commentators and observers in the wider community, is surely an indication of the lack of clarity of perception and judgment of the man who "leads this nation". I, once again, clearly remember the statement by Paul Keating referring to the potential for the Abbott-led government coming to power: "God help us." God help us indeed.

Andy Busuttil Hazelbrook

The speculation that Peta Credlin will seek selection to Parliament is extremely far-fetched. Why would she relinquish her current power and influence over everyone, including the Prime Minister, just to become a backbencher? Even if she goes straight into cabinet, heaven forbid, she will have to take orders from the chief of staff of the Prime Minister's office. Besides, there will be plenty of people waiting for her with sharpened knives.

Tony Abbott described her as the fiercest political warrior. Therefore she is very unlikely to settle for anything less than the top job. It's prime minister or nothing.

John Lo Bexley North

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Two Lady Macbeths will always be at least one too many ("Bishop, Credlin put on united front", December 11). Is it really any wonder that there aren't more women in politics?

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Seems like the Minister for Women can't even advocate for the one and only woman in federal cabinet let alone for the women of Australia.

Ian Clarke Avoca Beach

If the Prime Minister's show-running chief of staff, Peta Credlin, is so competent, how come Tony Abbott leads such a useless government?

Tony Doyle Stanmore

The only difference between Peta Credlin and the so-called faceless men of the Labor Party is that we know what Credlin looks like (Letters, December 11). Credlin wields as much, if not more, power thananyone in the Labor Party, and she was not elected to Parliament by any one.

Ross Langford-Brown Randwick

I take issue with Paul Sheehan's piece. The following lines go right to the point of the public's suspicion and even mistrust of Peta Credlin: "The bubbling up of material about Credlin is a response to the enormous power she holds within the Abbott government. And the manner in which she exercises that power. It is coming from within government ... Abbott has been wrapped in a tightly woven message. He refers to Credlin as 'the boss'. Unlike his predecessor Kevin Rudd, he is well liked within his government and not seen as a control freak. That black hat is worn by Credlin."

Just think for a moment what we feel when our Prime Minister refers to a non-elected person as his boss in running our country. The enormous power a non-elected person not responsible to the people has over the direction of our government, when our elected members are dictated to by a non-elected person when it should be the Prime Minister. Ponder on that a while, Mr Sheehan, and then explain to us how that is democracy.

William Hill Benowa (Qld)

So we complain that there are not enough women making decisions in the cabinet, and complain that one is. Ever stop to wonder that an unleashed Tony Abbott could be terrifying, or that those complaining most about Peta Credlin are white middle-aged men who appear to be happy with the otherwise female-free zone?

Jacinta Green St Peters

Regarding Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin, does Paul Sheehan's article in today's paper bring to mind for anyone else the John Gorton and Ainsley Gotto story of the late 1960s? This similar little drama went on for a few years, if I recall it accurately.

Stephen Reynolds Byron Bay

Wake up, Tony Abbott. The next election is going to to be a decision on whether we wish to continue with Peta Credlin in power. Not too much else.

Richard Pocock Elizabeth Bay

Peta Credlin for prime minister? I doubt that would come to pass, but we could certainly have another "real" woman in Parliament.

Carolyn Wills Cremorne

Lockout laws behind the fall in Kings Cross assaults

In September, Dr Don Weatherburn✓, Director of NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, said it was "too soon" to attribute the dramatic drop in savage assaults in Kings Cross to the lock-out laws introduced eight months earlier in February 2014 ("Drunkenness and violence down in Kings Cross and city", September 4) .

Four months later, and despite his own figures showing a 40 per cent drop in alcohol-related assaults in Kings Cross, Dr Weatherburn is still holding out, "trying to figure out whether [the reduction in assaults were] accelerated after the lock-out" ("Kings Cross assaults down 40%", December 11).

If Dr Weatherburn's own figures aren't enough to convince him, I suggest he step out of his office and have a chat with residents, police, paramedics and doctors and nurses at St Vincent's emergency department, who will tell him anecdotally yet emphatically that these laws have indeed resulted in a dramatic decrease in alcohol-related assaults in Kings Cross.

David Mackinnon Kings Cross

It is no surprise that the alcohol lobby is fighting tooth and nail to stop further regulation of its industry, just as the tobacco lobby did ("Influence of industry denounced", December 11). Piecemeal reforms will not work. We need to follow the example of tobacco and ban alcohol advertising, raise the excise and introduce graphic labelling showing the great harm alcohol is causing – senseless attacks on innocent people, carnage on the roads, pressure on hospital and ambulance emergency services and liver, heart and brain damage.

Andrew Macintosh Cromer

Post priced right out of existence

People are not using Australia Post because it's too expensive. Malcolm Turnbull's solution? Double the cost of postage ("New two-tier pricing system will see stamp prices rise to $2", December 11). I hope he never becomes treasurer

Barry Riley Woy Woy

No note, no travel

Maybe Australian Customs needs to introduce a Permission Note system for all these young adults who are leaving the country on clandestine, dangerous and foolhardy escapades without their parents' or families' knowledge ("Mystery over drug suspect's sudden release", December 11). No note from parents – sorry can't travel!

Angela Miller Bondi Junction

Getting use out of site

Having viewed the proposed collection of very ordinary red brick buildings that have been identified for a nursing home site at Middle Head, it seems amazing to me that any enterprise would want to develop these buildings ("Passions run high at Middle Head public meeting", December 10). Perhaps it's a case of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Board getting some use out of a very restricted site?

Danina Anderson Lindfield

Best wishes for Donnie

Molly Meldrum gets all the publicity for Countdown but Donnie Sutherland's Sounds was just a big a part of my youth. Get well, Donnie ("Cancer surgery next for Donnie", December 11).

Michael Deeth Como West

Did anyone find Albo?

Some time ago, when correspondents were wondering where Albo had disappeared to, well, did anyone ever find him (Letters, December 11)?

Dianne Brims Gresford

Robb's ambitious rhetoric fans fire

Given that Australia is the biggest per capita carbon emitter in the developed world, Australia's $200 million commitment to the Green Climate Fund is pathetic ("Australia cools on 2015 deal", December 11). Because this is not new money and will be coming off our foreign aid budget, Australia's move will not win any new friends in developing nations. So the $200 million contribution is nothing more than a cynical attempt to win a few votes back in Australia.

Representing Australia's big polluters, Andrew Robb is doing the job that Tony Abbott tasked him with at the Lima talks. He is not committing Australia to any carbon reduction target leading up to the 2015 Paris climate conference. Further, Robb had the audacity to state that he wants to see that our trade rivals "are as ambitious as we will be" before committing Australia to any target.

If other countries are "as ambitious" as Australia is in relation to carbon emission reductions, then the planet is doomed.

Geoff Black Caves Beach

If you want to confuse the message, send two messengers. It seems, however, they are both trying to ensure that, as Julie Bishop says,"We could not sign up to targets that would damage our economy, would send jobs offshore, would close down manufacturing". But isn't that exactly what the Abbott government has been doing to the car and renewable energy industries during the past year, and to our reputation as a global citizen?

Our country is humming with innovative people who, like UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, want us to stop tinkering and reach an agreement that will achieve energy transformation. We need to listen to these people, and stop opposing action on climate change.

Chris Moe Bensville

Trust and hope pave way to migrant success

In Dorothy Hoddinott's inspiring article the term "respect" kept popping up, in word and spirit ("The western Sydney school where there are no rules other than trust and hope", December 11). The story of Faduma, who four years ago could not read or write, and who is now hoping to go to university next year. The story of Zainab, who spent a year in Woomera Detention Centre and who now has degrees in medical science and pharmacy, is a mother of twin daughters and an Australian citizen. These remarkable success stories are due to a talented, tenacious principal and dedicated teachers and kids who just need someone to believe in them. I just hope the Minister for Immigration is taking notes and learning.

Pam Connor Mollymook Beach

Dorothy Hoddinott is an inspirational woman. She articulates a vision of what Australia can be which draws into sharp contrast the heartless, inhumane society that the Abbott government is thrusting trustingupon us with their treatment of asylum seekers.

Julian Hare Penshurst

Matraville melting pot

Noel Hadjimichael (Letters, December 11) must have gone to the wrong public school(Letters, 11th Dec). Mine, Matraville High, was multicultural before the word even existed; I don't think thatthere was a country that wasn't represented there.

Dave Horsfall North Gosford

GP healthcare system has gone to the dogs

Last time I went to the GP I was charged $85 ("Co-payment will hit bulk-billing, AMA head Owler predicts", December 11). Under Tony Abbott's proposed GP co-payment I'll get back $11.95 for a consultation under 10 minutes.

The sick dog I took to the vet recently cost about $60. I wonder if I can convince her to have a look at me the next time I need some medical treatment? I'll save some money and, as a bonus, get seen on the same day.

Tonia Wand Eleebana

Oh poor Ronda Wakeley (Letters, December 11). She has clearly overdosed on Tony Abbott's bitter pill of a misinformation propaganda campaign. Sweden and Norway may well have co-payments but they don't have a Medicare-type levy. We don't have free health care, we pay for it through the Medicare levy and if it's not enough, increase the levy. Simple. And it's not just about forgiving Abbott's broken promises. No one is naive enough to believe Peter Dutton dreamt up the co-payment idea post election victory.

Glen op den Brouw Liverpool

National icons in hiding

Reporter Sue Mitchell refers to the surge in growth of private-label brands of groceries and their apparent increased acceptability ("Private label brands rise from bottom of the trolley", December 11). May I respectfully suggest, as a shopper in the two largest food retailing chains, it's more a case of trying to locate the national icons on the shelves. They are often well hidden, poorly located or simply not available. Try and buy Golden Circle Australian-grown pineapple rings. Often not available, but plenty of pineapple alternative house brands sourced from Indonesia or the Philippines. Things are not always as they seem.

Doreen Sutcliffe Corlette

Shades of Third Reich

With the revelation of the CIA's brutal torture tactics I can well imagine the likes of Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler and the henchmen of the Third Reich giving nods of approval in addition to having an air of righteous smugness on learning of the apparent approval of such methods by most of the American public ("Damning verdict on agency's conduct", December 11).